Stapix  machine



SePt- 26 1939' F. R. CUR-riss STAPLE MACHINE Filedv Feb. 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

je m/ l INVENTOR FRANK R. GUET/$5 ATTORNEY STAPLE MACHINE Filed- Feb. 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,ffl 131 f l L ATTORNEY Y Patented Sept. 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE srarm momma- Frank B. Curtiss, New Hann, Gunn.

Application February 1s, 1931, semi N0. 125,915

a1 claims. (ci. 14e-ss) 'I'his invention relates to new and useful improvements in staple driving or applying machines and has particular although not necessarily exclusive relation to a machine adapted to the applying of heavy staples for the purpose of securing coil springs together or to frames,

securing rods together, securing burlap or the like coverings to rods and springs, etc.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine for the purpose indicated and which is particularly fitted for such purpose and which the operator can conveniently manipulate with one hand, although certain features as hereinafter disclosed have a wider application and are not ll necessarily limited to machines of the particular type shown or to machines operable by one hand.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirlt of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.`

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the machine, the view being taken looking into the end of the staple feeding means;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken as along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken as along the line 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 1 but with the staple feeding means omitted and with parts broken away whereby to show the positions of other parts before the beginning of a staple feeding and applying operation;

Fig. 5 is a view like Fig. 4 but showing the parts at the end of the operation of feeding or shifting a staple to the applying or closing jaws of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a similar view but showing the relation of the parts at the end of a staple applying or closing operation;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken as along 5o the line 1-1 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a detail view of a toggle employed;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view showing a staple' oFig. 11 is an edge view of the staple of Fig. 1 Y

Fig. 12 is a view showing a pair of rods fastened together by a staple applied with the machine of the invention;

Fig. 13 is a view showing a staple applied by the machine and securing a piece of burlap or other materialvto a rod or portion of a coil spring or the like; and l Fig. 14 is a view showing staples applied by l0 the present machine to secure coil springs to one another and to portions of a frame about said springs.`

Referring in detail to the drawings the improved machine includes a pair of members I0 15 and II comprising respectively handles I2 and I3, heads Il and I5 and jaws Ii and I1. 'I'he jaws I5 and I1 are at the forward ends of the heads and the latter being pivotaily connected by a stud I8 it will be understood that on the handles 20 I2 and I3 being squeezed toward one another the jaws will be moved toward one another. Each jaw is rigid with and somewhat thicker than the head b which it is carried and when the parts are in ir normal relative positions as shown 25 in Fig. 1, the inner edge of the jaw IS engages the forward edge of head I5 at I9 (Fig. 1) while the inner, edge of jaw i1 engages the forward edge of head I l as at 2l (Fig. 2) whereby movement 'of the members, about the pivot I8, under 30 the urging of a spring 2|, located between the handles, is limited. n

The heads I4 andl5 define a socket 22 into which staples are fed (by a means later to be described) through an opening or hole 23 in the 35 head I5, the head Il forming the inner wall of v the socket. Within the socket 22 and normally located just rearwardly of the hole 23 is a driver or plunger comprising a pair of plates 24 and 25 adapted to be advanced to move a staplefrom 40 the socket to the jaws and to cooperate with the latter during a clinching or applying operation and to be then retracted to normal position to permit another staple to enter the socket.

Rearwardly of thehole 23 the head I5 is pro- 45 vided with a pair of slots 25 and 21 of which the latter at its forward end has a lateral extension 28 arranged at an incline and projecting in the direction of the slot 25. On the upper side of the head I5 is a slide 25 which by means of screws 50 or other fastening means 30, extending through the slots 26 and 21, is connected with the plunger plates 24 and 25 respectively. Movement is imparted to this slide and by it transmitted to the plunger plates to have them move a staple from the socket 22 to the jaws IB and I1 as above suggested.

In connection with movement of the plunger plates it is noted that the studs or screws 30 are fast with such plates (being screw threaded or otherwise attached thereto) and that the latter are arranged to slide between the outer walls of the socket 22 andthe guide rails 30ar and are therefore normally spaced apart and in parallel relation and are not free for independent movement. The screw 30 passing through the slot 21 passes through a slot 3| in the slide 29 so that at certain times as will later appear the plunger plates may move toward one another for a purpose to be disclosed.

A hollow hand piece 32 is pivoted to the handle I3 at 33 and substantially encloses the same. An arm 34 has one end pivoted to the hand piece 32 at 35 and has its other end pivoted to the slide 29 at 36 whereby on movement of the hand piece about its pivot 33 the arm 34 will move the slide and thus move plunger plates 24 and 25 forwardly and rearwardly in the socket 22 moving a staple from the socket into the jaws I6 and I1. The hand piece is normally held in a position with the slide 29 retracted and this is accomplished by means of a spring 31 one leg 38 of which is engaged with the handle I3 while the other leg 39 is against the inner side of the hand piece 32.

Between and connected with the handles I2 and I3 is a latch means preventing movement of such handles toward one another except under certain conditions and such latchmeans generally designated 40 comprises a toggle including links 4| and 42 pivoted to the handles I2 and I3 at 43 and 44 respectively and to one another at 45. Link 42 has a flat spot 46 (see Fig. 8) and 'link 4| has a lug 41 to engage said flat spot when the links are in alignment whereby while the toggle may break by movement of pivot 45 toward the heads I4 and I5 movement of the pivot in the opposite direction is limited to that necessary to bring the links into alignment whereby the toggle is locked and prevents the handles being squeezed toward one another.

When the handles are released following operation of the machine the springs 2| and 31 return the parts to their normal positions. The spring 2| rocks members Ill and Il about pivot I8 to place such members in their normal positions and this tends to straighten the toggle 40. Additionally the spring 31 rocking the hand piece 32 about its pivot 33 causes arm 34 to draw the slide 29 to its normal position and such slide moves the plunger plates 24 and 25 to their normal positions.

Also slide 29 is provided with an extension or lug 48 which as the slide approaches normal position, during return movement, will engage the toggle pivot 45 and force it to normal position with the links 4I and 42 in alignment if at the time mentioned such links are not quite in alignment. On thearm 34 is a lateral extension 49 which engages the toggle to break the same at the proper time during use of the machine to apply a staple as will be fully set forth.

The means for supplying staples to the socket 22 includes a channel member or U-shaped housing 5|)` arranged with its open side toward the handles I2 and I3. Within the housing is a staple guide bar 5| having its sides undercut as shown in Fig. 1 whereby to slidingly receive staples of the type shown at 52. These staples are preferably made up in strips of which each contains a large number oi' staples connected together in side-by-side relation by some adhesive. At its inner end the housing 50 includes lateral flanges 53 resting on the head I5 and secured thereto as by screws 54 or the like.

Screws or similar fastening means 54a secure the guide bar to the housing and the inner end of such bar, when the housing is secured to the head I 5, stops iiush with the outer side of the socket 22 such side of the socket being the inner side or surface of the head I5. Therefore between the inner end of the guide bar and the bottom of the socket 22 there isspace to receive one staple and from this it will be clear that while one staple is in the socket a second staple may not enter the same.

A follower 55 is slidable along the guide bar and such follower engages the last staple of a strip on the bar and urges the strip inwardly toward the socket 22 whereby at all times possible a staple is kept in the socket ready to be moved to the jaws on operation of the hand piece 32. The follower is on a rod 56 which passes through a portion 51 of the follower and.l

. and bearing at one end against such collar and at its other end bearing against the follower portion 51 is a coil spring 62 which spring is constantly tending to shift the follower along the guide bar to force the staples in the direction ot the socket 22.

It is noted that the spring 62 extends along or is can'led over the bent U-shaped portion 58 of the rod 56. Such portion of the rod forms a hand piece by means of which the rod may be manipulated either in applying or removing it. As the spring extends along the oifset or U- shapedl portion it enhances the grip that may be obtained and in addition the spring may be pushed back or compressed so that substantially .the entire spring is on the U-shaped rod portion whereby the follower may be moved back to permit of a very large number of staples being placed on the guide bar without increasing the overall length of the latter. As the staples are used up the spring advances the follower constantly pressing the staples in the direction of the socket 22.

When using the machine assuming that a staple isV in the socket 22 the operators hand spans the handle I2 and the hand piece 32 (the parts being in the relative positions in which they are shown in Figs. 1 and 4) and squeezes in a manner to move the handles toward one another. The handles are locked against such movement by the toggle 40 so the hand piece 32 moves toward the handle I3 compressing the spring 31. Such movement of the hand piece results in movement of the arm 34 to operate the slide 29 and move the plunger plates 24 and 25 to the positions of Fig. iwherein the staple 52 has been moved from the socket to the jaws I5 and I1.

At this time the lateral extension 49 on the arm 34 engages the central pivot 45 of the toggle are shown in Fig. 6. 'Ihere it will be noted that the relation of the hand piece 32 to the handle i3 is the same as in Fig. 5 and from this it will be clear that during the actual clinching operation the forward ends of the plunger plates 24 and 25 are kept against the staple and prevent it turning as pressure is applied t'o clinch it.

It is noted that the adjacent forward ends of the plunger plates are curved as at on such an arc as to engage the staple and form' extensions of the jaws during an actual clinching operation. By reference to Figs 5 and 6 it will be clear that when the plunger plates are in their forward positions the screw or pin 36 connecting the slide 29 with the plunger plate 26 is in the slot 3i and in alignment with the lateral extension 28 of the slot 21 so that on further gripping or squeezing of the handles toward one another from the positions of Fig. 5 to bring the jaws toward one another the plunger plates do not interfere with or prevent such movement but follow along with the jaws forming extensions or continuations thereof so as to prevent turning of the staple during the clinching thereof. On release of the handles the springs 2| and 31 return the parts to their normal positions as above set forth.

'I'he jaws I6 and l1 are located beyond or forwardly of the heads I4 and I5 and in their opposing faces the jaws are provided with grooves 64 (see Figs. 2 and '1) such grooves being about twice the thickness of a staple. The staples have their legs inclined toward one another (see Fig. 9) and have their freeends bevelled as at 6l (see Figs. 9 and 11). As the jaws are moved toward one another the staple is bent into a ring or substantially a ring as in Figs. 10 and 1l and the bevelled ends 65, during vthe forming operation, slide by one another and do not abut and prevent closing of the staple. It is possible for the ends of the staple to overlap laterally during the clinching since the grooves 64 in the jaws are of greater width than the thickness or guage of the metal of the staples as above pointed out.

.in the grooves to the extent necessary to have the ends of the legs concealed so that on movement 1 of any article or material into the space between the jaws or movement of the jaws over such article or material the ends of the staple legs will not catch in the article or material. This is clearly shown in Fig. 5.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a few applications of staples by the present machine. In Fig. l2 a pair of rods are arranged one across the other and a staple has been applied encircling the rods where they cross so as to secure them together. In Fig. 13 a piece of burlap or other covering 61 is secured to a rod Il by means of an encircling staple 69 applied by the present machine. In this view it is noted that the staple has penetrated the material 61 and has not gathered the same aboutthe rod. 'I'his is due to the fact that as the staple was formed its ends were in the grooves in the jaws of the machine and were brought against the fabric sharp or pointed end first. In Fig. 14 coil springs 10 are secured to one another by staples 1I and to frame members 12 by staples 13, the staples in each case being applied by the present machine and in their applied state being in the form of rings.

Havingthus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a staple machine, a pair of members each comprising a handle, a head, and a jaw, means pivoting said heads together whereby on manipulation oi the handles the jaws are moved toward one another, said heads denning a staple receiving socket, means including handle-like means for shifting a staple from said socket to said jaws, and said jaws thereafter operable on manipulation of said handles to clinch said staple.

2i In a fastener applying device comprising a pair of handles and a pair of jaws operable toward one another by said handles, said jaws having recesses in their opposing faces stopping inwardly of their cuterA ends, means for feeding a staple into place between said jaws, said jaws having their outer ends extended to project toward each other beyond the ends of the legs of the staple in said whereby on relative movement to locate said jaws about an object the ends of the staple legs are protected by the extended ends of said jaws and prevented from engaging the object, and said jaws on movement toward one another adapted to form the staple about an object located between thejaws. 3. A fastener applying device comprising a pair of handles and a pair of jaws operable toward one another by said handles, said jaws having recesses in their opposing faces stopping inwardly of their outer ends, said jaws adapted to receive a staple between them, said' jaws having their outer ends extended to project toward each other beyond the ends of the legs of the staple in said recesses whereby on relative movement to locate said jaws about an object the ends of the staple legs are protected by thel extended ends of said jaws and prevented from engaging the object, and said jaws on movement toward one another adapted to form the staple about an object located between the jaws.

4. A fastener applying device comprising a pair of handles and a pair of jaws operable toward one another by said handles, said jaws having recesses in their opposing faces stopping inwardly of their outer ends. said jaws adapted when open to receive a staple between them, said jaws having their outer ends extended to project toward each other beyond the ends of the legs of a staple in said recesses whereby on relative movement to locate said jaws about an object the ends of the staple legs are protected by the ends of said jaws and are prevented from engaging the object, said jaws on movement toward one another adapted to form the staple into a ring about an object located between the jaws, and said recesses of such width that the ends of a staple as it is formed may move into lateral overlapping rela- 111011.

5. In a staple machine, a head, a pair of jaws, means mounting said jaws for movement toward one another, said head including a staple receiving socket, means for feeding staples one at a time to said socket, and means operable by a continuous movement to iirst shift a staple from said socket to said jaws and as said movement continues cause said jaws to clinch the staple.

6. In a staple machine, a head, a pair of jaws, handle-like means operable to move said jaws toward one another, said head including a staple receiving socket, means including a guide har and a spring pressed follower for feeding staples to said socket, means for shifting a staple from said socket. to said jaws, and means whereby on continuous movement of said-handle-like means said shifting means is first operated and as said continuous movement continues said jaws are moved to clinch the staple.

7. In a staple machine, a head, a'. pair of jaws, handles for moving said jaws toward one another, said head including a staple receiving socket, handle-like means on said machine and manually operable to shift a staple from said socket to said jaws, and said handles thereafter operable to move said jaws toward one another to clinch said staple.

8. In a staple machine, a head, a pair of jaws, handles for moving said jaws toward one' another, said head including a staple receiving socket, handle-like means associated with one of said handles and manually operable independently thereof to shift a staple from said socket to said jaws, and said handles thereafter operable to move said jaws toward one another to clinch the staple.

9. In a staple applying machine, a head, a pair of jaws, handles for moving said jaws toward one another, latch means normally preventing such movement of the jaws by the handles, said head including a staple receiving socket, means associated with one of said handles and operable independently thereof to shift a staple from said socket to said jaws and then operable to disable said latch means, and said handles thereafter operable to manipulate said jaws to have them clinch the staple.

10. In a staple applying machine, a head, a pair of jaws, handles for moving said jaws toward one another, latch means normally preventing such movement of the jaws by the handles, said head including a staple receiving socket, means on said machine and independently operable to shift a staple from said socket to said jaws and then operable to disable said latch means, andl said handles thereafter operable to manipulate said jaws to have them clinch the staple.

1l. In a staple applying machine, a head, a pair of jaws, handles for moving said jaws toward one another, toggle means normally preventing such movement of the jaws by the handles, said head including a staple receiving socket, means on said machine and independently operable -to shift a staple from said socket to said jaws and then operable to break said toggle means, and said handles thereafter operable to manipulate said jaws to have then clinch a staple.

l2. In a staple applying machine, a head, a pair of jaws beyond the head, handles for moving said jaws toward one another, said head including a socket, a housing on said head, means for feeding staples through said housing to said socket, means for shifting a staple from said socket to said jaws, said handles thereafter operable to move said jaws to clinch said staple, and means for maintaining said shifting means in a forward .position preventing movement of the staple rearwardly with respect to said jaws during the staple clinching operation.

13. In a staple applying machine, a head, a pair of normally spaced jaws beyond said head, means for supplying staples to said head, means for shiftingstaples from the head to said jaws and operable to prevent movement of a staple rearwardly with respect to the jaws during clinching of the staple, and means operable to manipulate said jaws to clinch the staple.

14. In a staple applying machine, a head, a

pair of jaws beyond said head, means for supplying staples to said head, means for shifting staples from said head to said jaws, means thereafter operable to manipulate said jaws to have them clinch a staple, and means'maintaining said shifting means in a forward position preventing movement of the staple rearwardly with respect to said jaws during the staple clinching operation.

15. In a staple feeding means, a guide bar to receive a plurality of staples, a follower on said bar, a rod on which said follower is movable, a spring about said rod and normally urging the follower therealong and along the guide bar, said rod having a bend therein forming a hand portion, and said spring extending along said bend whereby for a relatively short overall length of rod a relatively great length of spring is accommodated.

16. In a staple applying machine, a pair of members each including a handle, a head and a jaw, means pivoting said heads together whereby on manipulation of the handles the jaws are moved toward one another, latch means normally preventing such manipulation of the handles, said heads defining a staple receiving socket, plunger means in said socket and comprising a pair of plates, a slide on one of said heads and connected with said plates, means associated with one of the handles and operable independently thereof to shift said slide and thus said plates forwardly to have the latter feed a staple from said socket to said jaws, said means then operable to shift said latch means, and said handles thereafter operable to manipulate said jaws to have them clinch the staple.

17. In a staple applying machine, a pair of.

members each including a handle, a head and a. jaw, means pivoting the heads together whereby on movement of the handles toward one another the jaws are moved toward one another, latch means normally preventing such movement of the handles, said heads defining a staple receiving socket, means for feeding staples to said socket, plunger means in said socket and comprising a pair of plates, a slide on one of said heads and connected with said plates, means associated with one of said handles and operable independently thereof on pressure tending to squeeze said handles toward one another to shift said slide and thus said plates to have the latter move a staple from the socket to the jaws. said means then operable to shift said latch means whereby on continuation of the action tending to squeeze the handles together they are so moved and move the jaws to clinch the staple.

18. In a staple applying machine, a pair of members each including a handle, a head and a jaw, means pivoting the heads together whereby on movement of the handles toward one another the jaws are moved toward one another, latch means normally preventing such movement of the handles, said heads defining a socket to receive staples, means for feeding staples to said socket, plunger means in said socket and comprising a pair of plates, a slide on one of said heads and connected with said plates, means associated with one of said handles and operable independently thereof on pressure tending to squeeze said handles toward one another to shift said slide and thus said plates to have the latter move a staple from the socket to said jaws, said means then operable to shift .said latch means whereby on continuation of the action tending to squeeze the handles together they are so moved 19. In a. staple applying machine. a pair of members each including a handle, a head and a jaw, means pivoting said heads together whereby on manipulation of the handles the jaws are moved toward one another. said heads defining a staple receiving socket, a plunger in said socket and comprising a pair of plates, means associated with one of said handles but operable independently thereof to shift said plates forwardly and thus have themmove a staple from the socket to said jaws, and said plunger plates at their adjacent forward ends cut away on a radius to engage a staple and in their forward positions forming continuations of said jaws to assist them in clinching the staple on manipulation of the handles.

20. In a staple applying machine, a pair of members each including a handle, a head and a jaw, means pivoting said heads together whereby on manipulation of the handles the jaws are moved toward one another, said heads defining a staple receiving socket, plunger means in said socket and comprising a. pair of plates, a slide one one of said heads and connected with said plates, means associated with one of said handles and operable independently thereof to shift said slide and thus said plates forwardly to have the latter move a staple from said socket to said jaws, said handles thereafter operable to manipulate said jaws to have them clinch the staple, and cam slot means whereby when said plunger plates are in their forward positions they may move toward one another as the jaws are moved to clinch a staple.

21. In a staple applying machine, a head and a pair of jaws, handles for moving said jaws toward one another, said head including a staple receiving socket, a plunger in the socket and comprising a pair of plates, means associated with said handles but operable independently thereof to shift said plates forwardly and thus have them move a staple from the socket to said jaws, means maintaining said plates in their forward positions during a staple clinching opera.- tion, and said plates forming continuations of and assisting said jaws during the operation of clinching a staple.

22. In a staple applying machine, a head and a pair of jaws, handles for moving said jaws toward one another, said head including a staple receiving socket, a plunger in the socket and comprising a pair of plates, a slide connected with said plates, means associated with said handles and operable independently thereof to shift said slide and thus said plates forwardly to have the latter move a staple from said socket to said jaws, said handles thereafter operable to move said jaws to have them clinch the staple, and means whereby when said plunger plates are in their forward positions they may move toward one another as said jaws are moved to clinch a staple.

23. In a staple machine, a head, a pair of handles, a pair of jaws, means whereby on ma.- nipulation of said handles the jaws are moved toward one another, said head including a staple receiving socket, a plunger in said socket and comprising a pair of plates, a slide connected with said plates, means associated with said handles and operable independently thereof to shift said slide and thus said plates forwardly to have the latter move a staple from said socket to said jaws, said handles thereafter operable to manipulate said jaws to have them clinch a.

staple, and cam slot means whereby when said plunger plates are in their forward positions they may move toward one another as the jaws are moved to clinch a staple.

24. In a staple machine, a head, a pair of handles, a pair of jaws, means whereby on manipulation of said handles the jaws are moved toward one another, said head including a staple receiving socket, a plunger in said socket and comprising a pair of plates, means associated with said handles and operable independently thereof to shift said plunger plates forwardly to have the latter move a. staple from said socket to said jaws, said handles thereafter operable to manipulate said jaws to have them clinch the staple, and cam slot means whereby when said plunger plates are in their forward positions they may movetoward one another as the jaws are moved to clinch a staple.

25. In a staple machine, a head, a pair of handles, a pair of jaws, means whereby on manipulation of said handles the jaws are moved toward one another, said head including a staple receiving socket, a plunger in said socket and comprising a pair of plates, means associated with said handles and operable independently thereof to shift said plunger plates forwardly to have the latter move a staple from said socket to said jaws, said handles thereafter operable to manipulate said jaws to have them clinch the staple, and means whereby when said plunger plates are in their forward positions they may move toward one another as the jaws are moved to clinch a staple.

26. In a staple machine, a head, a pair of handles, a pair of jaws, means whereby on manipulation of said handles the jaws are moved toward one another, said head including a staple receiving socket, a plunger in said socket and comprising a pair of plates, a slide connected with said plates, means associated with said handles and operable independently thereof to shift said slide and thus said plates forwardly to have the latter move a staple from said socket to said jaws, said handles thereafter operable to manipulate said jaws to have them clinch a staple, and means whereby when said plunger plates are in their forward positions they may move toward one another as the jaws are moved to clinch a staple.

2'7. In a staple machine, a head, a pair of handles, a pair of jaws, means whereby on -maipulation of said handles the -jaws are moved toward one another, s'aid head including a staple receiving socket, a plunger in said socket and comprising a pair of plates, means associated with said handles and operable independently thereof to shift said plunger plates forwardly to have the latter move a staple from said socket to said jaws, said handles thereafter operable to manipulate said jaws to have them clinch the staple, and said plates when in their forward positions movable toward one another as said jaws are moved to clinch a staple.

28. In a staple applying machine, a head and a pair of jaws, means for moving said jaws toward one another, said head including a staple receiving socket, a plunger in said socket and comprising a pair of plates, means associated with said jaw moving means but operable independent of any movement of said jaws to shift said plates forwardly and thus have them move a staple from the socket to said jaws, means maintaining said plates in their forward positions during a staple clinching operation, and said plates forming continuations of and assisting said jaws during the operation ot clinching a staple.

29. In a machine for applying curved leg staples, a head having a staple receiving socket therein, a pair of staple clinching jaws, a driver for moving a staple from said socket to said jaws, said driver including curved portions embracing the legs of the staple, and means operableto manipulate said jaws to have them clinch the staple.

30. In a machine forapplying curved leg staples, a head having therein, a pair of staple clinching jaws, a driver for moving a staple from said socket to said jaws, said driver comprising a pair of plates each having a. curved portion to embraced. leg of said staple, means operable to manipulate said jaws to have them clinch the staple, and means a staple receiving socket' mounting said driver plates formovement toward one another with said Jaws as the latter are given clinching movement whereby said plates prevent movement of the staple rearwardly with respect to the jaws during clinching of the staple.

31. In a machine for applying staples, a staple feeding means, a staple clinching means, staple shifting means for moving staples one at a time from said staple feeding means to said staple clinching means, means for shitting said staple shifting means between staple receiving and staple clinching positions and for maintaining the same in the latter position to assist with the clinching of the staple, and means operable to cause said clinching means to clinch the staple.

FRANK R. CURTISS. 

